Why we choose to homeschool

Last spring my husband and I made the decision that we would give homeschooling a try for our daughter who was suppose to be entering kindergarten and our two younger sons.  It was not an easy decision but it made sense for our family.  This is not meant to offend anyone else and their decisions that they make for their family.  I don't claim to be a better parent for homeschooling and I don't think you are any less of a parent for not.  However, I am finding that I'm getting questioned by quite a few people on whether or not she will attend school this coming fall.  The answer is "no." I usually give very vague reasons, not because I don't have specific ones but I'm hesitant to open up about it to people who choose mainstream.  I NEVER want anyone to feel like I'm a superior parent or that I'm judging them for sending their kids to school because I don't (even though I am under a microscope).  Also, whenever I'm asked how homeschooling is going, I tend to keep it short and sweet.  Although once my short and sweet answer has been completed, I'm usually told a very long explanation of how their child(ren) love school and how awesome it is to shoo them off for the day and how much they are learning and how they just love their teacher and have so many friends and so on.  This is all great and I wish nothing but the best for every child, but they don't want to really hear any details of our schooling.  Which is fine, but it also doesn't necessarily mean I want to hear theirs.  Homeschooling is definitely not for everyone, and by no means is this meant to say everyone should do it.  Maybe it will make someone begin to wonder if they can do it, but my sole intention is to shed light on why we decided what we did.  Additionally, all of this questioning just really lit a fire in me to write all the reasons we do what we do.  My reasons were different a year ago than they are now and I expect them to keep evolving.  Let it be known that we may not homeschool FOREVER, but this is why we do NOW:

1. I worked for the first four years of my first child's little life in a job that I didn't like.  I missed A LOT and now I have the opportunity to stay home and they are only mine for a short period of time.  Selfish? Maybe, but I like being around them.
2. My child wants to stay home. She really does not like the idea of going to school at this point. My children are friends and have a desire to be around each other.  Yes, they fight but it's very minimal.
3. No limitations or rules.
4. We believe in our children's creativity more than anyone else ever will. I want to be able to provide the outlets needed for them to build on it.
5. I love my children more than anyone else. They will receive the best love and encouragement right here in our home.
6. If they want to learn about dinosaurs, we learn about dinosaurs. Their interests determine our lessons.
7. Letting them follow their own sleep schedule.  Sleeping in so I can get things done and staying up late to look at the stars or hang out with dad longer.
8. Learning through lots of play.
9. We can take a day(s) off whenever we want.
10. I get to witness the first time they read, write and so much more!
11. No unhealthy competition between other kids or parents.
12. Finding a learning lesson in nearly everything.  Every opportunity there is to add or count or problem solve, we usually take advantage.
13. They get more of a say in their education. I never really enjoyed books I was forced to read.
14. Open-ended crafts are SO much more fun.
15. We go places when everyone else is at school and work.
16. Kids can make their own lunch.
17. We don't have to scurry out the door for anything.
18. Going outside whenever we feel like it.
19. We don't have to fight about homework or what they can or can't wear.
20. No stressful tests to worry about.
21. They get to hang on to their innocence a little bit longer...I hope. :)
22. They are able to to socialize with all types and ages of people.
23. The educator to student ratio is ideal.
24. I don't have to beg to hear about how their day was.
25. No worries on who is affecting their self-image.
26. Peace of mind that they are safe from a lot of things.
27. I have no teachers to blame for how their education turns out.
28. Freedom to go where we want, when we want. 
29. We don't have to be confined to a routine.
30. They won't be exposed to many things that I think can wait.  Commercialism, bad attitudes, bullying.

Often times people assume that you must have to be wealthy to homeschool. That is not the case.  I was laid off a little over two years ago from a job that I was earning over $50,000 a year. Although I received unemployment benefits for the first year we are now living off of my husband's teacher salary (yes, he's a teacher). I also work about 16 hours a week to add a little more to our finances. We may not buy the fancy boxed curriculum but we go to the library and the internet provides so many free resources. Believe me, homeschooling can be done on a budget and a good attitude.